Rail transport in Bhutan


There is no rail transport in Bhutan, but several rail lines have been planned.

Planned

Bhutan and India signed a memorandum of understanding in January 2005 to connect Bhutan with the Indian Railways network with 5 new routes in Bhutan. Additionally, the Indian Military has also identified more routes to complement the India-China Border Roads and negate the
Siliguri Corridor's geostrategic vulnerability, all of which will be broad gauge.
Note: Rail lines listed west to east.
RouteLength Future ExtensionsOperational Major tunnels # & namesMajor bridges # & namesConceived byStatus/Comments
Gangtok-Nathang-Haa-Paro-Thimphu line Ext-1: Yongphulla Airport-Bathpalathang Airport-Lingmethang-Thimphu-Paro International Airport line.
Also see Ext-3 for Paro-Doklam-Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong connection.		N Indian MilitaryGangtok-Nathang-Haa-Paro International Airport-Thimphu.
Banarhat–Samtse line18 km Ext-2: Samtse-Nathu La lineN 2005 Indo-Bhutan MoUBanarhat–Samtse.
Hasimara–Pasakha-Phuentsholing line18 km Ext-3: Phuentsholing-Paro International Airport-Doklam-Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong line.N 2005 Indo-Bhutan MoUHasimara Airforce Station–Pasakha-Phuentsholing. This line has the first priority to be constructed due to high passenger and goods transportation.
Kokrajhar–Gelephu line 70 kmN 2005 Indo-Bhutan MoUKokrajhar of New Jalpaiguri–New Bongaigaon section–Gelephu. survey completed in April 2023 and construction will be completed by 2026.
Pathsala–Naglam line40 km Ext-4: Naglam-Lingmethang-Lhuntse-Rinchen Bumpa line with spur to Trashiyangtse in northeast.
Also see Ext-1 for connection in east to Yongphulla Airport.		N 2005 Indo-Bhutan MoUPathsala–Naglam.
Rangla–Darranga–Samdrup Jongkhar line60 kmN 2005 Indo-Bhutan MoURangla–Darranga–Samdrup Jongkhar.
Tawang-Trashigang-Yongphulla lineSee Ext-1.N Indian MilitaryTawang-Lumla-Trashigang-Yongphulla Airport.